LEBANON, Tenn. (AP) — Joey Logano felt he couldn't get to the finish line fast enough with his No. 22 Ford sputtering and nearly out of gas.
First, he had to hold off the driver with the fastest car to win the rain-delayed race that seemingly wouldn't end Sunday night at Nashville Superspeedway in a NASCAR Cup Series-record fifth overtime.
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Bubba Wallace (23) makes his way into Turn 3 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
A fan listens to a concert before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Fans listen to a concert before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Christopher Bell (20) pulls into the pits as inclement weather moves in during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Fans leave the pit area as inclement weather causes a delay during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Denny Hamlin (11) leads the field to start a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Christopher Bell (20) leads driver Ryan Preece (41) during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Joey Logano (22) leads Austin Dillon and Noah Gragson during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Joey Logano , top,celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Joey Logano, top, celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Logano had a pack of pursuers on his bumper and knew he had to make one more move to block Tyler Reddick in Turn 4. Then Logano went “bonkers” after making it over the line first at the Ally 400.
“Definitely as close as you can cut it for sure," Logano said about stretching his fuel almost to the last drop.
Logano held off Reddick's charge in Turn 1 on the final lap and again in Turn 4. He then beat Zane Smith, Reddick, Ryan Preece and Chris Buescher to the line in the race that started nearly six hours earlier and went 31 laps longer than the 300 that were scheduled.
The fuel light in Logano’s Ford came on going into Turn 3 after the engine sputtered on the backstretch, and Logano — who ran the last 110 laps without stopping on the 1.33-mile concrete oval — said it stumbled across the line. All the caution laps helped stretch a tank expected to last 85 laps at best.
“It’s a much-needed win for sure,” a smiling and relieved Logano said about his first victory this year and 33rd of his career.
If the finish wasn’t thrilling enough, the mayhem continued. Chase Briscoe ran out of fuel. Daniel Suarez and Martin Truex Jr. made contact, spinning Truex into the wall. Chase Elliott spun off Turn 4 and into the grass.
Smith wasn’t happy at finishing second, though he said he wouldn’t do anything different after the rookie’s best Cup finish.
“I felt like I chose the right lane, and it’s crazy how much different these cars drive with cleaner air,” Smith said. “Just proud of our strategy there.
Reddick was upset with himself on pit road, convinced he let his second victory of the year slip through his fingers.
“All the good cars ran out of fuel, and we were in position to pass the 22,” Reddick said about Logano. “He hadn’t been good all day long, and I didn’t get the job done.”
Denny Hamlin, who started on the pole and took the lead with seven laps left in regulation, was two laps from winning when Austin Cindric’s crash set up the chaotic finish. Hamlin finished 12th after pitting in overtime to avoid running out of fuel.
“It certainly stinks,” Hamlin said,
A thunderstorm that forced NASCAR to halt the race at 137 laps for 1 hour, 21 minutes washed off the traction that had built up. As a result, several cars got loose and crashed into the wall or slid into the grass.
That helped set up a thrilling race after Christopher Bell won the first two stages before crashing.
Hamlin took the lead going high into Turn 1, and Chastain went to the apron trying to hold him off and wobbled. That was enough for Hamlin to pass Chastain’s Chevrolet in what turned out to be only the first late lead change of a race that featured repeated crashes on restarts.
“I had a shot to win,” said Chastain, who led 45 laps while seeking his first win since the 2023 season finale at Phoenix.
Cindric set up the repeating overtimes when he made contact with Noah Gragson with two laps left. On the restart, points leader Kyle Larson caught the apron and slid with the right corner of his Chevrolet sending Chastain into the wall in Turn 1 for the 12th caution.
Larson then ran out of gas on another restart, causing Kyle Busch to crash into him. That's when Hamlin went for gas, scrambling the field for the wild finish.
Bell, who won last week at New Hampshire, won the first two stages before hitting the wall on lap 228.
“Just put myself in a bad spot and lost my cool,” Bell said. “Got back in traffic with all those yellow flags. Had a bad restart.”
Drivers tried to run as many laps as possible before an incoming thunderstorm on a steamy, humid Tennessee afternoon.
Lightning brought out the red flag, stopping the race after 137 laps with clouds in Turn 4 so heavy that it looked like a funnel was trying to form before heavy rain. The storm moved through quickly and dryers hit the track about 25 minutes after racing stopped.
Barely a half-hour after the race stopped, a rainbow could be seen. NASCAR sent drivers back to their cars about 70 minutes after the red flag, and the stoppage lasted 81 minutes with 143 laps remaining.
With the win, Logano's fretful nights worrying about making the chase are over. He became the 11th winner this season, leaving five spots left.
John Hunter Nemechek raced to his second Xfinity Series victory of the year Saturday, then made his first Cup start at this track Sunday. The experience didn’t carry over. Nemechek spun into the grass off Turn 4 of lap 117 to bring out the second caution of the race.
The Chicago street race is July 7.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Bubba Wallace (23) makes his way into Turn 3 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
A fan listens to a concert before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Fans listen to a concert before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Christopher Bell (20) pulls into the pits as inclement weather moves in during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Fans leave the pit area as inclement weather causes a delay during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Denny Hamlin (11) leads the field to start a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Christopher Bell (20) leads driver Ryan Preece (41) during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Joey Logano (22) leads Austin Dillon and Noah Gragson during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Joey Logano , top,celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Joey Logano, top, celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race, Sunday, June 30, 2024, in Gladeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
ISTANBUL (AP) — A media union said Turkish authorities arrested several journalists at their homes in a crackdown Monday, amid growing protests over the jailing of Istanbul’s mayor, a top rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
A court on Sunday formally arrested Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and ordered him jailed pending a trial on corruption charges. His detention on Wednesday sparked the largest wave of street demonstrations in Turkey in more than a decade, deepening concerns over democracy and the rule of law.
The Disk-Basin-Is media workers' union said at least eight reporters and photojournalists were detained in what it called an “attack on press freedoms and the people’s right to learn the truth.” It called for their immediate release.
The social media platform X said it was objecting to multiple court orders from Turkish authorities to block more than 700 accounts, including of news organizations, journalists and political figures in Turkey.
A total of 1,133 people have been detained since the mayor was arrested at his home, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said. As many as 123 police officers were injured in the protests, he said, adding that materials such as acid, firebombs and knives were seized.
“Some circles have been exploiting the right to assemble and demonstrate, attempting to disrupt public order, incite street unrest and attack our police,” Yerlikaya said on social media.
The minister said some of the detained were identified as having ties to groups listed as terrorist organizations and others had criminal records.
Hundreds of thousands of people have come out for the largely peaceful protests across Turkey in support of the mayor. There has been some violence, with police deploying water cannons, tear gas and pepper spray and firing plastic pellets at protesters in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. Some protesters hurled stones, fireworks and other objects at riot police.
In a message on social media, Imamoglu urged people to rally outside city hall and other locations for a sixth night on Monday. He also called on youths to avoid clashes and asked police to treat demonstrators with kindness.
“I’m working hard, I will work even harder. Where I am does not matter,” he said.
The mayor’s jailing is widely regarded as a political move to remove a major challenger to Erdogan from the next presidential race, scheduled for 2028. Government officials reject the accusations and insist that Turkey’s courts operate independently.
Imamoglu was jailed on suspicion of running a criminal organization, accepting bribes, extortion, illegally recording personal data and bid-rigging — accusations he has denied. A request for him to be imprisoned on terror-related charges was rejected although he still faces prosecution.
The Interior Ministry later said Imamoglu had been suspended from duty as a “temporary measure.” The municipality previously appointed an acting mayor from its governing council.
In a televised address following a Cabinet meeting, Erdogan accused the opposition party's chairman Ozgur Ozel, who has called for peaceful protests, of disturbing public order instead of addressing the alleged corruption. He also said he would be held to account for the protests.
“I have made this call several times before, and today I am repeating it: Stop disturbing our citizens’ peace with provocations. If you have the courage, account for the corruption, theft, bribes taken, and irregularities committed,” Erdogan said.
Erdogan said: “of course, there will be political accountability for these actions in parliament and legal accountability in court.”
Addressing demonstrators outside city hall for a sixth consecutive night, Ozel urged supporters to boycott a number of pro-government companies and television stations. He also challenged Erdogan and the Istanbul chief public prosecutor to broadcast Imamoglu’s trial live on state television, to allow the jailed mayor to respond to the allegations and "expose their lies.”
About 15 minutes after Ozel addressed the crowd, police intervened with tear gas and plastic pellets to disperse the demonstrators.
Imamoglu was taken to Silivri prison, west of Istanbul, as more than 1.7 million members of his opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP, held a primary election, endorsing him as its presidential candidate. Millions of non-members also cast votes in a “solidarity ballot,” the party said.
Alongside Imamoglu, 47 other people were also jailed pending trial, including a key aide and two district mayors from Istanbul. One was replaced with a government appointee. A further 44 suspects were released under judicial control.
Meanwhile, authorities were investigating the office of Ankara's mayor, another popular opposition figure, over the alleged misuse of public funds concerning the organization of 33 concerts, the municipality said Monday.
Imamoglu was elected mayor of Turkey’s largest city in March 2019, in a major blow to Erdogan and the president’s Justice and Development Party, which had controlled Istanbul for a quarter-century. Erdogan’s party pushed to void the municipal election results in the city of 16 million, alleging irregularities.
The challenge resulted in a repeat of the election a few months later, which Imamoglu also won. The mayor retained his seat following local elections last year, during which the CHP made significant gains against Erdogan’s governing party.
Anti riot police officers take positions in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025, during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Anti riot police officers take positions in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025, during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
People shout slogans next to anti riot police officers in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025, during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Anti riot police officers use pepper spray in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025, to disperse protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
People shout slogans next to anti riot police officers during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Anti riot police officers take positions during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
People shout slogans next to anti riot police officers during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and jailed, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
University students march across Galata bridge during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025. Boards read in Turkish: "Be careful, bee may sting", "Our diploma is upright". (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
University students sit at Galata bridge during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
University students march across Galata bridge during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025. Boards read in Turkish: "Be careful, bee may sting", "Our diploma is upright". (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
University students march across Galata bridge during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025. Lights on top of the Yeni mosque reads in Turkish: "Don't forget your afterlife". (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
University students sit next to anti riot police officers in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025, during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
People shout slogans as they gather outside Istanbul's city hall in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025, to protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
University students shout slogans during a protest at Besiktas district in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025, after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison. The poster reads in English and Turkish: "I don't know about you but I'm feeling 'revolution' tonight!". (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
University students shout slogans during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, at Besiktas district in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday, March 24, 2025. The poster reads in Turkish: "We bow neither to power nor to lawlessness". (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
Riot police officers use anti riot rifles and pepper spray to clear protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
Riot police officers use pepper spray to clear a protester during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
Riot police officers pepper spray a protester during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
A protester sprays fire against riot policemen during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
Riot police officers use pepper spray to clear a protester during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Huseyin Aldemir)
A riot police officer kicks a protester as they clash during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Fireworks thrown by protesters explode over riot police during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Riot police officers clash with protesters during a protest after Istanbul's Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was arrested and sent to prison, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
